Over 100 years of bridge history, it is not surprising that one can find many matches and events that came down to the last board, or even the last card, played. And of course, there is an added poignancy in these situations that derives from the fact that bridge is a unique sport in one aspect ó the players do not know the score. In this book, the author has collected dozens of fascinating deals, each of which is that last board ó the one that decided a world title or represented an individual triumph or tragedy.

Mark Horton

Mark Horton (born 1950) is a British author, journalist and expert on bridge, as well as a former lawyer and chess champion. He was editor of†Bridge Magazine†from 1995-2017 and is now the owner and editor of A New Bridge Magazine as well as being Chief Editor to the World Bridge Federation and the European Bridge League . He currently lives in Sutton Benger in the UK with his wife Liz.

I enjoyed this book.† A lot.† It starts with the fabulous 1971 Bridge World article by Ron Klinger that inspired the book, and which is almost worth the price on its own.† It then proceeds to relate 56 tales of occasions from 1957 through to 2016 when the final board was decisive in a match or tournament.
†
You canít help but be impressed by the depth of research that has gone into finding, not just the deals, but also the personalities and the stories around and behind them.† On top of which many chapters include several of the deals that build up to the climax of the final one.
†
While it is the drama that predominates in the telling, there are often significant points of bridge technique and judgment to instruct alongside the entertainment.††As you would expect, many of the deals feature slam, or game, or doubled contracts.††But there are also many where a humble partscore making or failing proves decisive, or even a single additional over- or undertrick
Itís not a book you should try to read through in one or two sittings, though itís tempting to do so as the excitement of the narratives carries you forwards.† I did in fact read through it in a couple of sessions, but Iíll be re-reading it at a more leisurely pace in the near future.† Probably more than once.